Between the Lines

Remembering the Blizzard of ‘78

Posted on January 24, 2008 by applelady
Filed Under Community, Family, Uncategorized | Leave a Comment

If you lived through it, you probably have some very vivid memories of the Great Blizzard of 78. And we want to hear from you!
I was in college at the time, living in Keene, New Hampshire. Compared to Massachusetts and Rhode Island our snowfall was minor. I remember trying to make it home (Bristol, RI) the following weekend and was able to make it into Boston by bus, but could go no further. Even a week later I was impressed by the amount of snowfall there was - cars were still buried along the city streets.

Talking to my family in RI during the week I remember they were most impressed with the feeling of camaraderie that existed amongst the people in the neighborhood. With no where to go, people were taking the time to reconnect with one another.

So send in your thoughts, your pictures - we want to hear from you!

Not quite an empty-nester

Posted on January 8, 2008 by applelady
Filed Under Community, Family, Uncategorized | Leave a Comment

I planned for it. I got myself used to the idea. My husband and I even joined a bowling league. I had thoughts of long leisurely evening walks. And perhaps even starting a Supper Club. I purchased oodles of towels in bright colors, several sheets sets, a comforter, and a myriad of school supplies to prepare my daughter for her freshman year in college. I perused yard sales to help outfit my son, who was moving to his first apartment to be closer to the college he was presently commuting to.

All in anticipation of becoming an empty-nester. And we were - for about 3 days. And then my daughter came home for her first, of many, weekend visits. And since she did not have classes on Fridays, they were long weekend visits. And my son was stopping in every few days with bundles of laundry. And of course, to pick up any food we had lying on shelves or in the refrigerator.

Now my daughter is home, having decided that college living is not for her. My son followed shortly on her heels, because the apartment lease was up.

So my plans to be a leisurely empty-nester have been put indefinitely on hold.

Tailgating with the Patriots

Posted on October 9, 2007 by applelady
Filed Under Community, Entertainment, Family, Sports | Leave a Comment

Last Sunday I went to my first ever Patriots game. I watch the game often on TV (admittedly with limited understanding), but have never witnessed a game in person. The live commentary, Minuteman on the field, cheerleaders, crowds cheering, music, and even the food vendors, made it quite an exhilarating experience. We of course packed a cooler filled with food and a barbecue grill, and joined the throngs of fans in the parking lot before the game. The day started out a little drizzly, but the weather cleared before the game, so we were able to enjoy it to the end.

My husband and I were seated right on the Patriots endzone, about six rows back. We could not have asked for better seats. And the Patriots win, continuing there undefeated season, was just the frosting on the cake.
Do you remember the first time you went to a Patriots game? I hope you will share some of your impressions.

A moment to remember

Posted on September 11, 2007 by applelady
Filed Under Community, Family, Uncategorized | Leave a Comment

Today, on the sixth anniversary of Sept. 11, we remember those who lost their lives in the tragedy.

Like many people, I was at work that morning. My first hint of what had happened was when a co-worker, after speaking with her husband, reported that a plane had crashed into the World Trade Center. Word quickly spread throughout the office, as we rushed to find a television.

For a brief moment, we hoped that this was a freak accident. But that notion was quickly dispelled when the second plane crashed into the towers. We continued to watch in horror as the Twin Towers came crashing to the ground and we learned that two more planes had also gone down. And we watched for days afterward as news teams from across the nation followed friends and family members, frantically searching for their loved ones.

We all experienced loss that day - a loss of innocence, a loss of security, a loss of peace. But we are resilient, we have moved forward and will continue to do so.

So today, on this sixth anniversary of Sept. 11, 2001, remember those who were lost in the terror of 9/11. Remember those who were left behind to grieve. Remember those troops who are bravely fighting for our freedom and the family members who are carrying on in their absence.

I know I will…..

Fairs galore

Posted on September 7, 2007 by applelady
Filed Under Community, Entertainment, Family, Kid stuff | Leave a Comment

With fall just around the corner, the festival season is going strong. There are many to choose from, beginning with Olde Home Day in Clinton.

Nashoba Valley Winery is offering the Harvest Festival, its first festival of the season, complete with musical entertainment and pick-your-own fruit.

Not to be outdone, the Harvard Lions are hosting their own Fall Festival, where barbecue aficionados will show off their barbecuing expertise. Beetlejuice, a Beatles tribute band, will also perform.

Then of course, there is the 125th Bolton Fair, coming up the fourth week of September. Fair goers can look forward to agricultural exhibits, a craft fair, fiddle contest, and a carnival.

As if that weren’t enough, the Sterling Fair offers helicopter rides and the Blackstone Canalfest in Worcester boasts a, get this, re-created segment of the canal, filled with 40,000 gallons of water.

So many fairs to choose from, and so little time.

It’s banana split day

Posted on August 23, 2007 by applelady
Filed Under Community, Entertainment, Holidays, Kid stuff | Leave a Comment

Need an excuse to indulge? Why not celebrate National Banana Split Day? That’s right, it falls on Saturday, Aug. 25. So go ahead, make an oooey, gooey, concoction, complete with whipped cream and a candied cherry.

If banana splits are not your thing, then fire up the grill or build a small campfire in your back yard, because Thursday, Aug. 30 is National Toasted Marshmallow Day.

Whatever your pleasure, enjoy the day with family and friends. What a great way to cap off the summer!

Frogs in the garden

Posted on August 2, 2007 by applelady
Filed Under Community, garden | Leave a Comment

Radio hosts Loren and Wally were recently discussing the benefits of having a frog in your garden. Apparently, frogs eat all types of insects and can be beneficial, especially if you’re trying to garden organically. They suggested putting a broken clay pot in the garden, so the frog has a place to live and leaving a shallow clay container filled with water.

I think I might just give this a try.

An air-conditioner for your brain

Posted on July 30, 2007 by applelady
Filed Under Community | Leave a Comment

Channel 5 reported this morning that a new study down on yawning revealed that we yawn to cool down our brain. Apparently, our brain heats up when we are actively using it, and yawning acts like a type of air-conditioning system to cool it down. So, far from being a sign of boredom, yawning is now thought to be a sign that our brain is actively engaged.

So, the next time someone yawns when you are speaking, consider it a compliment.

An unexpected landing

Posted on July 26, 2007 by applelady
Filed Under Community | Leave a Comment

Imagine driving on 495 last week and suddenly finding that you’re sharing the highway with a small engine plane. As I’m sure most of you know this actually happened early Monday evening. According to reports (OK, these are third-hand reports, but from very reliable sources) several people saw the plane just above them and were able to slow down to let the plane land.

Lucky thing that no one was hurt. All’s well that ends well.

Sweet confections

Posted on July 18, 2007 by applelady
Filed Under Community | Leave a Comment

Ice cream stands are certainly one of the hallmarks of summer in New England.

I remember as a kid going to Gray’s Ice Cream in Tiverton, R.I. On a Sunday afternoon, we (my aunts, uncles and cousins - about 25 of us in all) would pile into my uncle’s hay wagon and head over, from Little Compton, to Gray’s for ice cream. My favorite flavor was chocolate chip.

More locally we have several stands in the area including Erikson’s in Maynard and Kimball’s in Westford.

Where are your favorite ice cream places?

keep looking »